Guide element especially suitable for solar greenhouses and the like and particularly utilizable for controlled shading

Abstract

A structural arrangement which is particularly useful in connection with solar greenhouses is provided. Therein is provided a structural member in the form of a hollow bar of elongated form provided with longitudinally extending and parallel track channels having relatively narrow longitudinally extended slot mouths. A shade with a bulbous periphery is engaged in each of the track channels and a guide member is provided which changes the direction of movement of the shade as it exits from the ends of the corresponding track channels. The guide includes tubular extensions which extend into the track channels. The guide furthermore includes arcuate guide channels which are funnel shaped and operate in extension of the tubular extensions. A member operates in conjunction with the tubular extensions to a wall of the afore-mentioned bars for the mounting of the guide.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A guide comprising a body having lateral edges and defining two funnel shaped and generally arcuate guide tracks having generally parallel axes, said tracks being spaced from said edges and in the shape of open troughs, and two parallel tubular extensions on said body defining bores aligned in continuation of said guide tracks, said bores being generally tangentially related to said guide tracks, said tubular extensions being each provided with a lateral slot extending longitudinally therealong, said body being provided with slots extending from said lateral edges and corresponding with the slots in said tubular extensions. 
     
     
       2. A guide as claimed in claim 1 comprising a flat extension on said body spaced from but parallel with said tubular extensions. 
     
     
       3. A guide as claimed in claim 2 comprising a flange on said body in sloped relation to said tubular extensions. 
     
     
       4. A guide as claimed in claim 3, wherein said body, tubular extensions, flat extensions and flange are part of a monolithic structure. 
     
     
       5. A guide as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide tracks are at least about one-quarter or a circle. 
     
     
       6. A guide as claimed in claim 5, wherein said guide tracks are of varying arcuate cross-section which increases in a direction away from the corresponding tubular extensions. 
     
     
       7. A guide as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide tracks have outer walls which slope at about 10°-45° relative to the associated axis.